Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

An information processing system is disclosed. The system includes: a client that executes information display processing; and a server that creates a display structure description file applied in the information display processing, wherein the client acquires image data reference information and transmits display structure description file creating data including the image data reference information to the server, the server creates the display structure description file and transmits the created display structure description file to the client, and the client executes processing for displaying a map on a display unit on the basis of the display structure description file received from the server and acquiring image data from a storage unit within the client on the basis of the image data reference information recorded in the display structure description file and then displaying the acquired image data on the display unit.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.12/968,392, filed Dec. 15, 2010, which is a continuation application ofU.S. Ser. No. 11/753,246, filed May 24, 2007, and contains subjectmatter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-155529 filed inthe Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 5, 2006, the entire contents of eachof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing system, aninformation processing apparatus, and an information processing method,and a computer program. More specifically, the present invention relatesto an information processing system, an information processingapparatus, an information processing method, and a computer programcapable of realizing the configuration in which map information, imagedata held in an information processing apparatus, such as a user's PC ordigital camera, and the like are displayed together.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, network communications through Internet or the like arewide spread and various services are provided through the network. Auser may acquire various kinds of information from a server, a computer,or the like connected to the network.

For example, there is a map information providing service as one of theservices through a network. The map information providing service refersto a service in which a request of map display of, for example, aspecific area is transmitted from a user terminal, such as a computer ora portable terminal, connected to a network to a map informationproviding server and the map information providing server havingreceived the request acquires a map of the area corresponding to therequest and then transmits the acquired map to the user terminal. Thereis also a service that provides a satellite photograph other than a map.

In addition to such map information service, there is a service thatallows data that a user holds, for example, image data photographed intravel places to be displayed together at the positions on a mapprovided by a map providing server.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a marker 12 is set on the positioncorresponding to a place, to which a user has traveled, on a map 10provided by a map providing server. The marker 12 is a marker for localimage pop-up.

An image 11 corresponding to photographs taken by the user is displayedby designating (for example, clicking) each marker. When each of themarkers 12 a to 12 n is clicked, local image data corresponding to eachposition, for example, the user's image (for example, photograph takenduring travel) 11 pops up.

In order to realize such information display, it is necessary to createa display structure description file, which describes the configurationfor displaying map data, position information of a marker, and imageinformation such as user's photographs according to a predeterminedrule, for example, an HTML file. A user transmits to a service providingserver, which provides a service for creating the display data (HTMLfile), image information such as photographs that the user holds andphotographing position (for example, latitude and longitude information)and photographing date and time information corresponding to the imageinformation, the service providing server creates the HTML file on thebasis of the transmitted information, and the user acquires the HTMLfile.

Moreover, in order to allow a map, satellite photographs, and the like,which are shown in FIG. 1, to be displayed together with user's localimages so as to be linked to each other, for example, an AJAX(Asynchronous Java (registered trademark) Script+XML) technique is used.The AJAX technique uses an HTTP communication function of Java(registered trademark) script provided in a web browser. The AJAXtechnique is an interactive web application technique of enablingprocessing, such as updating of display data, by performingtransmission/reception of XML-format data to/from a server withoutreloading a web page. In addition, the AJAX technique is mainly appliedin a network service operating on an Internet browser.

Thus, by applying the AJAX technique, for example, it becomes possibleto display an image, such as a user's local photograph, in combinationwith map or satellite photograph information provided by a mapinformation providing server.

For example, a map information providing server runs business in whichthe map information providing server enters into license agreements,which grants a right to create an HTML file or an XML file using API(application program interface) for realizing the display data describedwith reference to FIG. 1, with an external server (service providingserver) and then allows utilization of the API of the map informationproviding server on the basis of a result of checking whether or not thecreated file is a file created by the licensed service providing serversuch that the data display service shown in FIG. 1 may be used.

Specifically, the map information providing server issues an API(application program interface) key to the service providing serverwhich is granted a right to create an HTML file or XML file, such thatthe key information is written in the HTML file or XML file created bythe service providing server. Then, only when the key information isconfirmed, it is allowed to use the API of the map information providingserver, such that the data display processing shown in FIG. 1 isperformed. For example, in the case when an HTML file stored in a localplace on a personal computer is used, the utilization of the API of themap information providing server is not permitted by the aboveprocessing. Accordingly, the data display shown in FIG. 1, that is, anoperation of causing a local image to pop up on a map is not possible,and thus service providing based on a license is realized.

Hereinafter, general sequences for executing information displayprocessing on the basis of map information provided by a map informationproviding server and an HTML file provided by a service providing serverwill be described with reference to FIG. 2.

A client (user terminal) 31 that executes display of data described withreference to FIG. 1, a service providing server 32 that creates an HTMLfile, and a map information providing server 33 that provides mapinformation or satellite photograph information are shown from the leftside in FIG. 2.

First, under the assumption that the service is executed, the mapinformation providing server 33 gives to the service providing server 32a permission to create an HTML file for information display using a map,which is provided by the map information providing server 33, andprovide the created HTML file to the client. For example, a serviceduring a predetermined period is permitted by license agreements. Inthis processing, in step S11, the map information providing server 33creates a key for license and provides the key to the service providingserver 32.

Then, in step S12, the client (user terminal) 31 that desires to executethe data display described with reference to FIG. 1 transmits, that is,uploads to a service providing server 12 image data stored in the userterminal, that is, image data, such as photographs taken at touristspots, and photographing position and photographing date and timeinformation as attribute information of the image data.

In step S13, the service providing server 32 creates an HTML file fordata display. This HTML file is a file applied to the data displaydescribed above with reference to FIG. 1, and key information receivedfrom the map information providing server 33 and codes for utilizing theAPI provided by the map information providing server 33 are described inthe HTML file.

FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of a part of the HTML file createdby the service providing server 32. Key information 52 received from themap information providing server 33 and codes (Java (registeredtrademark) Script) for utilizing the API provided by the map informationproviding server 33 are described in a data part 51.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the explanation on the processing sequencescontinues. In step S14, the service providing server 32 transmits thecreated HTML file to the client 31. Then, in step S15, the client 31executes API utilization request with respect to the map informationproviding server 33 on the basis of the codes (Java (registeredtrademark) script) for utilizing the API included in the HTML filereceived from the service providing server 32. In this processingrequest, position information for indicating the marker position set ona map and the key information 52 included in the data part 51 shown inFIG. 3 are included.

In step S16, the map information providing server 33 verifies the keyinformation in response to the request from the client 31. That is, themap information providing server 33 verifies whether or not the requestfrom the client 31 is a map utilization request based on the HTML filecreated by the service providing server licensed by the map informationproviding server 33. Specifically, the map information providing server33 verifies whether or not effective key information, which is providedto the service providing server licensed by the map informationproviding server 33, is included in the request from the user terminal.If it is verified that the effective key information is not included,the service stops.

On the other hand, if it is verified that the effective key informationis included, in step S17, map data that allows data processing using theAPI of the map information providing server 33 is provided to the client31. That is, the map data is map information in which a marker causing alocal image to be presented on the map is set.

In step S18, the client 31 displays a map using a browser function, forexample. On the map, the markers described above with reference to FIG.1 are set. In step S19, a marker operation, such as an operation ofclicking on a marker, is executed. Then, in step S20, an imageacquisition request is transmitted to the service providing server 32,and then in step S21, an image corresponding to the marker is acquiredfrom the service providing server 32. Then, in step S22, an image thatpops up on the map is displayed on the user terminal.

The displayed image is the image data that the client 31 transmitted,that is, uploaded to the service providing server 32 in previous stepS12.

By executing the processing according to the sequences described above,the client (user terminal) 31 may cause a local image stored in the userterminal to be displayed on the basis of an operation on the marker,which is set at the corresponding position on a map, using the mapprovided by the map information providing server 33.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the client 31 may cause a map 70, on whichmarkers 71 a to 71 n provided by the map information providing server 33are set, to be displayed on a display unit of the client 31. Inaddition, the client 31 may call an image 72, which is transmitted tothe service providing server 32 and is then stored therein, by means ofan operation of the markers 71 a to 71 n so as to display the image 72on a map.

However, as is apparent from the processing sequences described above,in order to use the service, it is necessary for the client (userterminal) 31 to transmit, that is, upload an image stored in the userterminal to the service providing server 32. This, in the case ofuploading a user's image file to a service providing server, a loadapplied to the client (user terminal) and a load applied to the serviceproviding server increase, which causes delay of processing. Moreover,there is a chance that the image file, which is personal information,will leak.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in view of the above, it is desirable to provide aninformation processing system, an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing method, and a computer program enablingprocessing for displaying local image data together with map informationprovided by, for example, a map information providing server withouttransmitting local data, such as photographs, stored in a client (userterminal) to an external server or the like.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an information processing system including: a client thatexecutes information display processing; and a server that creates adisplay structure description file applied in the information displayprocessing. The client acquires image data reference information asaccess information for image data stored in a storage unit within theclient and transmits display structure description file creating dataincluding the image data reference information to the server. The servercreates the display structure description file for displaying mapinformation, which corresponds to the display structure description filecreating data received from the client, together with image datadesignated by the image data reference information and transmits thecreated display structure description file to the client. The clientexecutes processing for displaying a map on a display unit on the basisof the display structure description file received from the server andacquiring image data from the storage unit within the client on thebasis of the image data reference information recorded in the displaystructure description file and then displaying the acquired image dataon the display unit.

In the information processing system according to the first embodimentof the present invention, preferably, the display structure descriptionfile is an HTML file.

Further, in the information processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the storage unit withinthe client is a removable storage means configured to be detachablymounted in an apparatus of the client.

Furthermore, in the information processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the client transmitsposition information corresponding to the image data designated by theimage data reference information, as the display structure descriptionfile creating data, to the server. The server creates a displaystructure description file including the position informationcorresponding to the image data received from the client and transmitsthe created display structure description file to the client. The clientexecutes processing for displaying map information, which includes amarker indicating position information corresponding to the image data,on the display unit on the basis of the display structure descriptionfile received from the server and processing for acquiring image datafrom the storage unit within the client on the basis of the image datareference information recorded in the display structure description filein response to an operation of the marker and displaying the acquiredimage data on the display unit.

Furthermore, in the information processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the client acquiresreduced image data reference information as access information forreduced images of the image data, which is created on the basis of theimage data stored in the storage unit within the client, and transmitsdisplay structure description file creating data including the reducedimage data reference information to the server. The server creates adisplay structure description file applied in processing for displayingreduced image data, which is designated by the reduced image datareference information, together with map information on the basis of thedisplay structure description file creating data including the reducedimage data reference information received from the client and transmitsthe created display structure description file to the client. The clientexecutes processing for displaying the map information on the displayunit on the basis of the display structure description file receivedfrom the server and processing for acquiring the reduced image data fromthe storage unit within the client on the basis of the reduced imagedata reference information recorded in the display structure descriptionfile and displaying the acquired reduced image data on the display unit.

In addition, in the information processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the client executesprocessing for transmitting data included in the display structuredescription file, which is received from the server, to a mapinformation providing server, acquiring map information from the mapinformation providing server as a response corresponding to thetransmission processing, and displaying the acquired map information onthe display unit.

Further, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, aninformation processing apparatus that executes information displayprocessing includes: a storage unit that stores image data; and a dataprocessing unit that executes processing for acquiring image datareference information as access information for the image data stored inthe storage unit, acquiring display structure description file creatingdata including the image data reference information and thentransmitting the acquired display structure description file creatingdata to a server, and displaying map information on a display unit onthe basis of a display structure description file received from theserver and acquiring image data from the storage unit on the basis ofthe image data reference information recorded in the display structuredescription file and then displaying the acquired image data on thedisplay unit.

In the information processing apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the display structuredescription file is an HTML file.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the storage unit is aremovable storage means configured to be detachably mounted in theinformation processing apparatus.

Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the dataprocessing unit executes processing for transmitting positioninformation corresponding to the image data designated by the image datareference information, as the display structure description filecreating data, to the server and processing for displaying mapinformation, which includes a marker indicating position informationcorresponding to the image data, on the display unit on the basis of thedisplay structure description file received from the server andacquiring image data from the storage unit within a client on the basisof the image data reference information recorded in the displaystructure description file in response to an operation of the marker andthen displaying the acquired image data on the display unit.

Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the dataprocessing unit executes processing for acquiring reduced image datareference information as access information for reduced images of theimage data, which is created on the basis of the image data stored inthe storage unit and transmitting display structure description filecreating data including the reduced image data reference information tothe server and processing for displaying the map information on thedisplay unit on the basis of the display structure description filereceived from the server and acquiring the reduced image data from thestorage unit within a client on the basis of the reduced image datareference information recorded in the display structure description fileand then displaying the acquired reduced image data on the display unit.

In addition, in the information processing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the dataprocessing unit executes processing for transmitting data included inthe display structure description file, which is received from theserver, to a map information providing server, acquiring map informationfrom the map information providing server as a response corresponding tothe transmission processing, and displaying the acquired map informationon the display unit.

Further, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, aninformation processing apparatus that creates a display structuredescription file on the basis of data received from a client includes: acommunication unit that receives display structure description filecreating data including image data reference information from theclient; and a data processing unit that creates the display structuredescription file applied in processing for displaying image data, whichis designated by the image data reference information, together with mapinformation on the basis of the display structure description filecreating data including the image data reference information andtransmits the created display structure description file to the clientthrough the communication unit.

In the information processing apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the display structuredescription file is an HTML file.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention, preferably, the data processingunit creates a display structure description file including positioninformation corresponding to image data received from the client andtransmits the created display structure description file to the client.

Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to thethird embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the dataprocessing unit creates a display structure description file applied inprocessing for displaying reduced image data, which is designated byreduced image data reference information received from the client,together with map information on the basis of display structuredescription file creating data including the reduced image datareference information and transmits the created display structuredescription file to the client.

Further, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an information processing method executed in aninformation processing apparatus including: a data transmitting step inwhich, in a data processing unit, image data reference information asaccess information for image data stored in a storage unit is acquiredand display structure description file creating data including the imagedata reference information is acquired and is then transmitted to aserver; and a data displaying step in which, in the data processingunit, map information is displayed on a display unit on the basis of adisplay structure description file received from the server and imagedata is acquired from the storage unit on the basis of the image datareference information recorded in the display structure description fileand is then displayed on the display unit.

In the information processing method according to the fourth embodimentof the present invention, preferably, the display structure descriptionfile is an HTML file.

Further, in the information processing method according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention, preferably, in the datatransmitting step, position information corresponding to the image datadesignated by the image data reference information is transmitted as thedisplay structure description file creating data to the server. In thedata displaying step, map information including a marker indicatingposition information corresponding to the image data is displayed on thedisplay unit on the basis of the display structure description filereceived from the server and image data is acquired from the storageunit within a client on the basis of the image data referenceinformation recorded in the display structure description file inresponse to an operation of the marker and is then displayed on thedisplay unit.

Furthermore, in the information processing method according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention, preferably, in the datatransmitting step, reduced image data reference information is acquiredas access information for reduced images of the image data, which iscreated on the basis of the image data stored in the storage unit anddisplay structure description file creating data including the reducedimage data reference information is transmitted to the server. In thedata displaying step, the map information is displayed on the displayunit on the basis of the display structure description file receivedfrom the server and the reduced image data is acquired from the storageunit within a client on the basis of the reduced image data referenceinformation recorded in the display structure description file and isthen displayed on the display unit.

In addition, in the information processing method according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to furtherinclude a processing executing step in which, in the processing unit,data included in the display structure description file, which isreceived from the server, is transmitted to a map information providingserver, and map information is acquired from the map informationproviding server in accordance with the transmission processing todisplay the acquired map information on the display unit.

Further, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided an information processing method of executing processingbased on data received from a client in an information processingapparatus including: a data receiving step in which, in a communicationunit, display structure description file creating data including imagedata reference information is received from the client; and a dataprocessing step in which, in a data processing unit, the displaystructure description file applied in processing for displaying imagedata, which is designated by the image data reference information,together with map information is created on the basis of the displaystructure description file creating data including the image datareference information and the created display structure description fileis transmitted to the client through the communication unit.

In the information processing method according to the fifth embodimentof the present invention, preferably, the display structure descriptionfile is an HTML file.

Further, in the information processing method according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention, preferably, in the data processingstep, a display structure description file including positioninformation corresponding to image data received from the client iscreated and is then transmitted to the client.

Furthermore, in the information processing method according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention, preferably, in the data processingstep, a display structure description file applied in processing fordisplaying reduced image data, which is designated by reduced image datareference information received from the client, together with mapinformation is created on the basis of display structure descriptionfile creating data including the reduced image data referenceinformation and the created display structure description file istransmitted to the client.

In addition, according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, acomputer program that causes an information processing apparatus toexecute: a data transmitting step in which, in a data processing unit,image data reference information as access information for image datastored in a storage unit is acquired and display structure descriptionfile creating data including the image data reference information isacquired and is then transmitted to a server; and a data displaying stepin which, in the data processing unit, map information is displayed on adisplay unit on the basis of a display structure description filereceived from the server and image data is acquired from the storageunit on the basis of the image data reference information recorded inthe display structure description file and is then displayed on thedisplay unit.

In addition, according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention,a computer program that causes an information processing apparatus toexecute processing based on data received from a client, including: adata receiving step in which, in a communication unit, display structuredescription file creating data including image data referenceinformation is received from the client; and a data processing step inwhich, in a data processing unit, the display structure description fileapplied in processing for displaying image data, which is designated bythe image data reference information, together with map information iscreated on the basis of the display structure description file creatingdata including the image data reference information and the createddisplay structure description file is transmitted to the client throughthe communication unit.

In addition, the computer program according to the embodiment of thepresent invention is a computer program that may be supplied to acomputer system capable of executing a variety of program codes by theuse of a storage medium or a communication medium supplied in acomputer-readable format. For example, the computer program may besupplied by the use of a recording medium such as a CD, an FD, and anMO, or a communication medium such as a network. By supplying theprogram in the computer-readable format, processing corresponding to theprogram is realized in the computer system.

Additional purposes, characteristics, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent by detailed description made with referenceto the accompanying drawings in the following embodiment of the presentinvention. Furthermore, the system in the specification is a logic groupof a plurality of apparatuses. That is, the system in the specificationis not limited to a system in which apparatuses having respectiveconfigurations exist in the same casing.

According to the configuration according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, local data, such as a photograph, stored in a client(user terminal) can be displayed together with, for example, mapinformation provided by a map information providing server withouttransmitting the local data to an external server or the like. A clienttransmits image file path information, which is not actual data of animage file but access information of the image file stored in a storageunit of the client, to a service providing server that executes HTMLfile creation processing and acquires an HTML file including the imagefile path information. The client executes processing for displaying theimage file together with the map on the basis of the HTML file includingthe image file path information. With the configuration described above,the image data that is displayed together with map information on theclient side is not read from the service providing server but is readfrom the client, that is, the storage unit of the client on the basis ofthe file path information recorded in the HTML file. Therefore, sincethe client does not need to transmit image data to the service providingserver, the processing load is reduced and thus data display processingcan be performed quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of display data in which imagedata that a user holds is displayed together with map information;

FIG. 2 is a view explaining general sequences for executing informationdisplay processing on the basis of map information provided by a mapinformation providing server and an HTML file provided by a serviceproviding server;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the configuration of a part of an HTMLfile created by a service providing server;

FIG. 4 is a view explaining an example of processing in client and eachserver;

FIG. 5 is a view explaining an example in which an informationprocessing system according to an embodiment of the present invention isused;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of display data displayed on aclient;

FIG. 7 is a view explaining an example of processing in client and eachserver of the information processing system according to the embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of upload data transmitted froma client to a service providing server;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of an HTML file created by aservice providing server;

FIG. 10 is a view explaining sequences in which a client executesinformation display processing on the basis of map information providedby a map information providing server and an HTML file provided by aservice providing server, in the configuration according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart explaining processing sequences includingdetails of processing in each apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart explaining processing sequences includingdetails of processing in each apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a view explaining the functional configuration of eachinformation processing apparatus; and

FIG. 14 is a view explaining an example of the hardware configuration ofan information processing apparatus used in the information processingsystem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an information processing system, an information processingapparatus, an information processing method, and a computer programaccording to embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an example in which an information processing system according toan embodiment of the present invention is used will be described withreference to FIG. 5. A network 100 shown in FIG. 5 is a network, such asInternet and intranet. Service providing servers (web servers) 120-A to120-N that provide various kinds of services, a map informationproviding server 150 that provides map information, and clients 110-1 to110-n that perform processing for displaying the display data describedabove with reference to FIG. 1, that is, processing for displaying localimage data, such as photographs, together with map information providedby the map information providing server 150 are connected to the inputimage signal 100. In addition, maps, satellite photographs, aerialphotographs, and the like, that is, various kinds of information servingas maps are included in the map information provided by the mapinformation providing server 150.

The clients 110-1 to 110-n serving as user terminals are informationprocessing apparatuses, such as a PC, a digital camera, and a mobilephone. For example, local data including image data, such as photographstaken at tourist spots, are stored in a storage medium, such as a harddisk, a flash memory, and an optical disk.

The client 110 acquires map information and satellite photographinformation provided by the map information providing server 150 andexecutes processing for displaying the acquired information togetherwith local data, such as photographic images, stored in a storagemedium, such as a hard disk. A display structure description fileapplied in the display processing, for example, an XML file or an HTMLfile is received from a service providing server (web server) 120. Inaddition, the display structure description file is not limited to theXML file or HTML file, but display structure description files havingvarious data structures may be applied.

However, in the configuration according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, the client 110 does not transmit local image data to theservice providing server (web server) 120, that is, does not executeprocessing for uploading the image data to the service providing server(web server) 120. The client 110 does not transmit actual data of imagesbut transmits to the service providing server (web server) 120 pathinformation corresponding to image data, such as image files, stored inthe client 110, that is, file path information (for example,c:¥Doc¥file0001.jpg) which is image reference information as accessinformation indicating a storage place, such as a hard disk.

In the processing configuration according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, a client transmits to the service providing server(web server) 120 path information of an image, photographing positioninformation (for example, latitude and longitude information) asattribution information of an image, photographing date and timeinformation, and the like. On the basis of the information, the serviceproviding server (web server) 120 creates an HTML file (or XML file)applied to the processing for displaying the local image together with amap (or satellite photograph), which is similar to that described abovewith reference to FIG. 1, and provides the HTML file (or XML file) tothe client. The HTML file is recorded with key information provided inadvance to the service providing server (web server) 120, information onutilization of API of the map information providing server 150, imagefile path information, photographing position information (for example,latitude and longitude information) as attribution information of animage, and photographing date and time information, and the like.

The client 110 executes communication with the map information providingserver 150 on the basis of the HTML file received from the serviceproviding server (web server) 120, displays a map provided by the mapinformation providing server 150 applying the API that the mapinformation providing server 150 provides, and reads an image stored inthe client 110 (for example, hard disk of the client 110) and displaysthe read image using the file path information described in the HTMLfile.

An example of display data displayed on the client 110 is illustrated inFIG. 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, markers 202 a to 202 n areshown on a map 201 that the map information providing server 150provides. These markers are set at positions corresponding to positiondata that a user has transmitted to the service providing server 120 asposition information corresponding to an image file.

An image 203 corresponding to a photograph taken by the user pops upwhen designating (for example, clicking) each marker. The image datadisplayed here is not data called from the service providing server 120but data read from the client 110, that is, a storage unit of the client110 on the basis of the file path information set in the HTML file.

As shown in the drawing, tags such as ‘Image’ and ‘Information’ are seton an image 203, and image data read from the client 110, that is, thestorage unit of the client 110 on the basis of the image file path or athumbnail image is displayed on the tag ‘Image’. On the tag‘Information’, for example, photographing date and time information,latitude and longitude information indicating photographing position,and file path information of original image data are displayed. Suchinformation is data that the client has transmitted to the serviceproviding server 120 together with the image file path and is datarecorded in the HTML file that the service providing server has createdon the basis of the information.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, an image list 211 including a plurality ofimages is displayed on display data. The list-displayed image is alsodata read from the client 110, that is, the storage unit of the client110 on the basis of the file path information set in the HTML file.

Thus, in the processing configuration according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, the image data as displayed local data is not readfrom the service providing server but is read from the storage unit ofthe client 110 on the basis of the file path information. Therefore,since the client does not need to transmit image data to the serviceproviding server, processing load is reduced and thus data displayprocessing can be performed quickly.

Next, an outline of processing performed by the client 110, the serviceproviding server 120, and the map information providing server 150 inthe processing configuration according to the embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, the map information providing server 150 gives tothe service providing server 120 a permission to create an HTML file forinformation display using a map, which is provided by the mapinformation providing server 150, and provide the created HTML file tothe client. For example, a service during a predetermined period ispermitted by license agreements. In this processing, the map informationproviding server 150 creates a key for license and provides the key tothe service providing server 120.

When receiving the service, the client 110 transmits, that is, uploadsto the service providing server 120 image file path information asaccess information corresponding to image data stored within the client110, for example, image data, such as photographs taken at tourist spotsby a user who operates the client 110, and photographing position andphotographing date and time information as attribute information of theimage data. Upload data 221 is shown in the drawing.

An example of upload data transmitted from the client 110 to the serviceproviding server 120 is shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, forexample, (a) image file path information, (b) image cache pathinformation (file path information on thumbnail image), (c) imageposition information (longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographingdate and time information are included in the upload data transmittedfrom the client 110 to the service providing server 120.

(a) Image file path information is image file path information as accessinformation corresponding to the image data stored in the client 110,that is, image data, such as photographs taken at tourist spots.

(b) Image cache path information is image file path information asaccess information of a thumbnail (reduced image) corresponding to animage designated on the basis of the image file path information.

(c) Image position information (longitude, latitude) is positioninformation indicating the photographing position of an image designatedon the basis of the image file path information, for example, longitudeand latitude information.

(d) Image photographing date and time information is informationindicating photographing date and time of an image designated on thebasis of the image file path information.

In addition, the image data photographed using a digital camera or thelike is recorded in a storage unit of the digital camera in a format ofEXIF file, for example. Then, the image data is copied and recorded in ahard disk or the like of the client 110, and path information on eachimage file is specified according to directory of the hard disk. Inaddition, path information of an external storage unit, such as a flashmemory, connected through USB connection or the like may be applied.

As the position information or the photographing date and timeinformation, data that is recorded as a photographic data file in theEXIF file may be used, or data that is additionally recorded later bythe user may be used. In addition, the position information is notlimited to the photographing position. For example, the position of aphotographic subject, position information related to an image, and thelike may be recorded. Such position information is used to determine theposition of a marker set on a map.

Further, (b) image cache path information is the image file pathinformation as access information of a thumbnail (reduced image)corresponding to an image designated on the basis of image file pathinformation. In many cases, a thumbnail image read according to thecache path is used as an image that pops up by an operation of a markeron a map or an image displayed as an image list.

The read image is image data that is actually read on a screen. An imagethat the user holds after proper processing may be used as the readimage. For example, an image subjected to rotation processing or animage subjected to resizing processing may be used as the read image.

Furthermore, (a) image file path information is an original imagecorresponding to (b) image cache path information. The file pathinformation of the original image is recorded in image information datadisplayed by designating the tag ‘Information’ of the pop-up image datadescribed above with reference to FIG. 6 and is used in a case when theuser desires to display the original image.

In addition, the image information corresponding to (a) image file pathinformation and (b) image cache path information may be dynamic imagedata without being limited to still images. In this case, for example, apop-up image displayed on the map by a marker operation is displayed asa dynamic image.

On the basis of data received from the client 110, that is, (a) imagefile path information, (b) image cache path information (file pathinformation on thumbnail image), (c) image position information(longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographing date and timeinformation, the service providing server 120 shown in FIG. 7 creates anHTML file 222 corresponding to display data displayed on a display unitof the client 110 and provides the HTML file 222 to the client 110.

An example of an HTML file created by the service providing server 120is shown in FIG. 9. Similar to the HTML file described above withreference to FIG. 3, key information 302 received from the mapinformation providing server 150 (refer to FIG. 7) and code information(Java (registered trademark) script) applied to utilize the API providedby the map information providing server 150 are described in a data part301 of the HTML file. Further, a data part 303 includes various kinds ofdata transmitted from the client 110 to the service providing server120, that is, HTML data configured to include link information, such as(a) image file path information, (b) image cache path information, (c)image position information (longitude, latitude), and (d) imagephotographing date and time information, and display format informationthereof.

(a) image file path information and (b) image cache path informationdescribed in the HTML file shown in FIG. 9 are path information asaccess information of an image or a thumbnail image stored in a storageunit of the client 110. Therefore, the image and the thumbnail imagedisplayed when executing the data display applying the HTML file areread from the client 110 on the basis of the path information recordedin the HTML file.

The client 110 executes API utilization request with respect to the mapinformation providing server 150 on the basis of codes (Java (registeredtrademark) script) for utilizing the API included in the HTML file 222received from the service providing server 120. In this processingrequest, position information for indicating the marker position set ona map and the key information 302 included in the data part 301 of theHTML file shown in FIG. 9 are included.

The map information providing server 150 verifies the key information inresponse to the request from the client 110. That is, the mapinformation providing server 150 verifies whether or not the requestfrom the client 110 is a map utilization request based on the HTML filecreated by the service providing server licensed by the map informationproviding server 150. Specifically, the map information providing server150 verifies whether or not effective key information, which is providedto the service providing server licensed by the map informationproviding server 150, is included in the request from the user terminal.If it is verified that the effective key information is not included,the service stops.

On the other hand, if it is verified that the effective key informationis included, map data that allows data processing using the API of themap information providing server 150 is provided to the client 110.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, on the basis of the HTML file 222 receivedfrom the service providing server 120, the client 110 can display a map223 received from the map information providing server 150 and imagedata and thumbnail image data called from itself, that is, the storageunit of the client 110 according to path information recorded in theHTML file 222.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a marker 202 is displayed at theposition, which corresponds to a position set as attribution informationof an image, on the map and the image corresponding to the marker popsup when clicking on the marker. This processing is processing executedby using the HTML file created by the service providing server 120 andthe API of the map information providing server 150, and an image 224stored in the client 110 is read and displayed according to the filepath information described in the HTML file 222.

In addition, in the data display example shown in FIG. 7, the image listdisplay part 211 is set on a left side of a screen, and thumbnail imagesof which path information is designated when the client 110 requests theservice providing server 120 to create the HTML file is displayed on theimage list display part 211 in the order of photographing date and time,for example. This image is also the image 224, which is stored in theclient 110, read on the basis of the file path information described inthe HTML file 222.

In addition, the display example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is only anexample, and various kinds of data displays are realized according tothe HTML file created by the service providing server 120.

Hereinafter, sequences in which a client executes information displayprocessing on the basis of map information provided by a map informationproviding server and an HTML file provided by a service providingserver, in the configuration according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The client (userterminal) 110 that executes display of data, the service providingserver 120 that creates an HTML file, and the map information providingserver 150 that provides map information or satellite photographinformation are shown from the left side in FIG. 10.

First, under the assumption that the service is executed, the mapinformation providing server 150 gives to the service providing server120 a permission to create an HTML file for information display using amap, which is provided by the map information providing server 150, andprovide the created HTML file to the client. For example, a serviceduring a predetermined period is permitted by license agreements. Inthis processing, in step S101, the map information providing server 150creates a key for license and provides the key to the service providingserver 120.

Then, in step S102, the client (user terminal) 110 that desires toexecute the data display transmits, that is, uploads to the serviceproviding server 120 path information corresponding to image data storedin the client (user terminal) 110, that is, path information as accessinformation of image data, such as photographs taken at tourist spots,and photographing position and photographing date and time informationas attribute information of the image data. The upload data includes,for example, (a) image file path information, (b) image cache pathinformation (file path information on thumbnail image), (c) imageposition information (longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographingdate and time information, as described above with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S103, the service providing server 120 creates an HTML file fordata display. The HTML file is an HTML file applied to the data displaydescribed above with reference to FIG. 9. The HTML file includes keyinformation received from the map information providing server 150,codes for executing utilization of the API provided by the mapinformation providing server 150, and various kinds of data transmittedfrom the client 110 to the service providing server 120, that is, HTMLdata configured to include link information, such as (a) image file pathinformation, (b) image cache path information, (c) image positioninformation (longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographing date andtime information, and display format information thereof.

In step S104, the service providing server 120 transmits the createdHTML file to the client 110. Then, in step S105, the client 110 executesthe API utilization request with respect to the map informationproviding server 150 on the basis of the codes (Java (registeredtrademark) script) for utilizing the API included in the HTML filereceived from the service providing server 120. In this processingrequest, data that forms the HTML file received from the serviceproviding server 120, that is, the key information 302 described abovewith reference to FIG. 9, other image file path information,photographing position as image attribution information, and the likeare included.

In step S106, the map information providing server 150 verifies the keyinformation in response to the request from the client 110. That is, themap information providing server 150 verifies whether or not the requestfrom the client 110 is a map utilization request based on the HTML filecreated by a licensed service providing server licensed by the mapinformation providing server 150. Specifically, the map informationproviding server 150 verifies whether or not effective key information,which is provided to the service providing server licensed by the mapinformation providing server 150, is included in the request from theuser terminal. If it is verified that the effective key information isnot included, the service stops.

On the other hand, if it is verified that the effective key informationis included, map data that allows data processing using the API of themap information providing server 150 is provided to the client 110 instep S107. That is, the map data is map information in which a markercausing a local image to be presented on the map is set.

In step S108, the client 110 displays a map using a browser function,for example. On the map, a marker (marker 202 in FIG. 7) for pop-updisplay of an image is set. In step S109, a marker operation, such as anoperation of clicking on a marker, is executed. Then, in step S110, animage (or thumbnail image) is acquired from a storage unit of the client110 on the basis of image file path information described in the HTMLfile. Then, in step S111, an image that pops up on the map is displayedon the user terminal.

The displayed image is image data stored in a device of the client.Moreover, in the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 10, an example has beendescribed in which image data pops up on the basis of the image filepath information described in the HTML file when the marker operation isexecuted in step S109. However, as described above with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, the image list 211 including a plurality of images isdisplayed as the display data. The list-displayed image is also readfrom the client 110, that is, the storage unit of the client 110 on thebasis of the file path information set in the HTML file and is thendisplayed on a display unit of the client. The display timing of theimage list is the same as that of the map display in step S108.

Thus, in the processing configuration according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, the image data as displayed local data is not readfrom a service providing server but is read from the client 110, thatis, the storage unit of the client 110 on the basis of the file pathinformation. Therefore, since the client does not need to transmit imagedata to the service providing server, the processing load is reduced andthus data display processing can be performed quickly.

Next, it will be described about processing sequences including detailsof processing in each apparatus will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The client (user terminal) 110 thatexecutes display of data, the service providing server 120 that createsan HTML file, and the map information providing server 150 that providesmap information or satellite photograph information are shown from theleft side in FIGS. 11 and 12.

First, under the assumption that the service is executed, the mapinformation providing server 150 gives to the service providing server120 a permission to create an HTML file for information display using amap, which is provided by the map information providing server 150, andprovide the created HTML file to the client. In addition, it is assumedthat the service providing server 120 has already received the key forlicense from the map information providing server 150.

In step S201, a user of the client 110 executes processing for selectingan image file stored therein. That is, the user selects an image file,which is to be displayed together with a map provided by the mapinformation providing server 150, from the client 110. Moreover, theuser starts a program for executing a series of processing, that is,processing for displaying an image as local data together with a mapprovided by the map information providing server 150. This program isdownloaded beforehand from the service providing server 120, forexample.

In step S202, processing for acquiring attribution information from animage file selected by the user is performed as processing of a program.The attribution information is photographing position information on animage, photographing date and time information on the image, and thelike, for example. As the position information or the photographing dateand time information, data recorded in the EXIF file as a photographicdata file may be used, or data additionally recorded later by the usermay be used. In addition, the position information is not limited to thephotographing position. For example, the position of a photographicsubject, position information related to an image, and the like may berecorded. Such position information is used to determine the position ofa marker set on a map.

In step S203, the client 110 creates an image, such as a thumbnailimage, used as an image displayed together with the map and records thecreated image as a primary file in a primary folder set in the storageunit of the client. The image may be a thumbnail which is a simplereduced image, or may be processed data obtained after the user properlyperforms design change, message addition, or the like.

In step S204, the client 110 transmits (uploads) to the serviceproviding server 120 various kinds of information applied to create anHTML file, that is, the following information described above withreference to FIG. 8 which are (a) image file path information, (b) imagecache path information (file path information on thumbnail image), (c)image position information (longitude, latitude), and (d) imagephotographing date and time information.

Then, the service providing server 120 checks whether or not the serviceis being provided by the map information providing server 150 in stepS205. If the service is not being provided by the map informationproviding server 150, the process proceeds to step S301. Processing instep S301 will be described later.

If the service providing server 120 confirms that the service is beingprovided by the map information providing server 150 in step S205, theservice providing server 120 creates an HTML file for display in stepS206 by applying the data received from the client 110, that is, (a)image file path information, (b) image cache path information (file pathinformation on thumbnail image), (c) image position information(longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographing date and timeinformation. The HTML file is a file described above with reference toFIG. 9 and includes key information for license checking. Further, imagefile path information as access information corresponding to the imagedata stored in the client 110 and image cache path information as accessinformation of the primary file, such as a thumbnail, included in theprimary folder created in step S203 are included in the HTML file.

In step S207, the service providing server 120 transmits the createdHTML file to the client 110. Then, in step S208, the client 110 analyzesthe received HTML file using a browser component of the client 110.Then, in step S209, the client 110 starts communication with the mapinformation providing server 150 on the basis of processing executionrequest codes for the map information providing server that are includedin the HTML file, that is, codes (Java (registered trademark) script)for utilizing the API. Then, in step S210, the client transmits to themap information providing server 150 information recorded in the HTMLfile, for example, image file path information, image attributeinformation such as position information, and data related to the keyinformation recorded in the HTML file.

In step S212, the map information providing server 150 verifies the keyinformation included in the data acquired from the client. That is, themap information providing server 150 verifies whether or not the requestfrom the client 110 is a map utilization request based on the HTML filecreated by the service providing server licensed by the map informationproviding server 150. Specifically, the map information providing server150 verifies whether or not effective key information, which is providedto the service providing server 120 licensed by the map informationproviding server 150, is included in the request from the user terminal.If it is verified that the effective key information is not included,the service stops. On the other hand, if it is verified that theeffective key information is included, map data (for example, map orsatellite photograph) that allows data processing using the API of themap information providing server 150 is provided to the client 110. Thatis, in the map information, a marker that causes a local image, whichhas been described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, to bepresented on the map is set.

In step S213, display data based on the information provided by the mapinformation providing server 150 through a browser, that is, a map (orsatellite photograph) is displayed on a display unit of the client. Thedisplay data is map information in which a marker that causes a localimage, which has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7,to be presented on the map is set. When the user executes a markeroperation, such as an operation of clicking on a marker, an image (orthumbnail image) is acquired from a storage unit of the client 110 onthe basis of image file path information described in the HTML file andthen an image that pops up on the map is displayed.

The displayed image is image data stored in a device of the client. Inaddition, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an imagelist including a plurality of images is displayed as the display data.The list-displayed image is also read from the client 110, that is, thestorage unit of the client 110 on the basis of the file path informationset in the HTML file and is then displayed on a display unit of theclient 110.

Then, in step S214, a display continues until the user performs an inputof instructing termination of communication, such that the image displaycorresponding to a user's operation is performed. The display processingis terminated on the basis of the user's input of instructing thetermination of communication. In addition, the display information inthe client 110 is, for example, information in which the marker isdisplay on the map provided by the map information providing server 150and the image list is displayed, as described above with reference toFIG. 6. The markers 202 a to 202 n shown in FIG. 6 are set at positionscorresponding to position data that the user has transmitted to theservice providing server 120 as position information corresponding to animage file.

An image corresponding to a photograph taken by the user pops up whendesignating (for example, clicking) each marker. The image datadisplayed here is a thumbnail image stored in a primary file, forexample. The image displayed on the image list 211 shown in FIG. 6 isalso a thumbnail image. The image data displayed here is not data calledfrom the service providing server 120 but data read from the client 110,that is, a storage unit of the client 110 on the basis of the file pathinformation set in the HTML file.

As described above with reference to FIG. 6, tags such as ‘Image’ and‘Information’ are set on the image 203 shown in FIG. 6, and a thumbnailimage or image data read from the client 110, that is, the storage unitof the client 110 on the basis of the image file path is displayed onthe tag ‘Image’. For example, in the case when the display image is setas a thumbnail image, information in which image file path informationof an original image is set as link information is recorded as‘Information’, and the original image is called from the client and isthen displayed by operating (clicking) the information.

As described above, on the tag ‘Information’, for example, photographingdate and time information, latitude and longitude information indicatingphotographing position, and file path information of original image dataare displayed. Such information is data that the client has transmittedto the service providing server 120 together with the image file pathand is data recorded in the HTML file that the service providing serverhas created on the basis of the information.

Then, it will be described about processing in a case in which theservice providing server 120 has confirmed that the service is not beingprovided by the map information providing server 150 in step S205 ofFIG. 11. In this case, the service providing server 120 creates an HTMLfile including a message indicating that the service is terminated instep S301 and then transmits the created HTML file to the client 110 instep S302.

In the client 110, the received HTML file is analyzed by the browsercomponent of the client 110 in step S303. Then, in step S304, themessage indicating that the service included in the HTML file isterminated is displayed so as to be checked by the user, terminating theprocessing.

As described above, in the processing configuration according to theembodiment of the present invention, the image data that is displayedtogether with map information on the client side is not read from aservice providing server but is read from the client, that is, a storageunit of the client on the basis of the file path information recorded inthe HTML file. Therefore, since the client does not need to transmitimage data to the service providing server, the processing load isreduced and thus data display processing can be performed quickly.

Hereinafter, it will be described about the functional configuration ofapparatuses that execute the above processing with reference to FIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of one client110 connected to a network and the service providing server 120. Theclient 110 includes a user interface 411 as data I/O unit, a dataprocessing unit 412, a storage unit 413, and a communication unit 414,and the service providing server 120 includes a data processing unit421, a storage unit 422, and a communication unit 423. These apparatuseshave the same hardware configuration as a general PC. A specific exampleof the hardware configuration will be described later.

An image file is recorded in the storage unit 413 of the client 110. Theimage file is recorded as a file based on the EXIF format, for example.In addition, position information, date and time information, and thelike as attribution information corresponding to images, are recorded inthe image file. Further, image data such as a thumbnail created as aprimary file and a program for executing the processing described aboveare stored in the image file. In addition, the storage unit 413 of theclient 110 may be replaced with a removable storage unit that can bedetachably mounted in the client 110.

The data processing unit 412 is configured to include a CPU forexecuting a program and executes the client-side processing describedwith reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. For example, the data processing unit412 acquires data for creation of an HTML file, that is, (a) image filepath information, (b) image cache path information (file pathinformation on thumbnail image), (c) image position information(longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographing date and timeinformation; transmits the above information to the service providingserver 120 to output the HTML file creation request; executes processingfor acquiring map information, such as a map or a satellite photograph,from the map information providing server 150 on the basis ofinformation recorded in the acquired HTML file; and executes processingfor displaying the map information on a display unit and processing foracquiring an image file from a storage unit on the basis of the imagefile path recorded in the HTML file and then displaying the acquiredimage file on the display unit.

The user interface 411 includes a display unit serving as a user inputunit and a data output unit and performs output of the displayinformation, which has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6and 7, as data output processing. In addition, the client 110 performscommunication with the service providing server 120 and the mapinformation providing server 150 through the communication unit 414under the control of the data processing unit 412, receives an HTML filefrom the service providing server 120, and acquires a map, a satellitephotograph, and the like from the map information providing server 150and displays the acquired map or satellite photograph on the displayunit of the user interface 411.

Furthermore, the data processing unit 412 transmits position informationcorresponding to an image file designated by the image file path, asdata for creation of an HTML file, to the service providing server 120.In addition, the data processing unit 412 executes processing fordisplaying map information, which includes a marker indicating theposition information corresponding to the image file, on the displayunit on the basis of the HTML file received from the service providingserver. In addition, the data processing unit 412 executes processingfor acquiring an image file from the storage unit 413 of the client 110according to the image file path recorded in the HTML file on the basisof an operation of a corresponding marker and displaying the acquiredimage file on the display unit.

In addition, the display image can be used as a processed image, such asa thumbnail image, by using recording of HTML as a file pathcorresponding to the processed image, such as a thumbnail image.

On the other hand, the service providing server 120 includes the dataprocessing unit 421, the storage unit 422, and the communication unit423. In addition, the service providing server 120 receives (a) imagefile path information, (b) image cache path information (file pathinformation on thumbnail image), (c) image position information(longitude, latitude), and (d) image photographing date and timeinformation from the client 110 through the communication unit 423. Inaddition, the data processing unit 421 creates the HTML file describedabove with reference to FIG. 9. A program required for processing forcreating the HTML file is stored in the storage unit 422. In the storageunit 422, key data received from the map information providing server150 is also stored, and an HTML file in which the key information isrecorded is created at the time of creating an HTML file. The createdHTML file is transmitted to the client 110 through the communicationunit 423.

Finally, the hardware configuration of information processingapparatuses that realize a client and a service providing serverincluded in a system that executes the above processing will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 14. A CPU (central processing unit) 501functions as a main execution body of the data processing unit, whichhas been described in the above embodiment, executing processingcorresponding to OS (operating system). The CPU 501 performs creation oranalysis of an HTML file, information display processing, execution ofJava (registered trademark) script, data communication processingcontrol, and the like. Such processing is executed according to acomputer program stored in a data storage unit, such as a ROM or a harddisk, of each information processing apparatus.

A ROM (read only memory) 502 serves to store a program, computationparameters, and the like that the CPU 501 uses. A RAM (random accessmemory) 503 serves to store a program used at the time of execution ofthe CPU 501, parameters that appropriately vary in the execution, andthe like. The CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503 are connected to oneanother by a host bus 504, such as a CPU bus.

The host bus 504 is connected to an external bus 506, such as a PCI(peripheral component interconnect/interface) bus, through a bridge 505.

A keyboard 508 and a pointing device 509 serves as input devicesoperated by a user. A display 510 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT(cathode ray tube) and serves to display various kinds of information ina text or an image.

A HDD (hard disk drive) 511 includes a hard disk therein, drives thehard disk, and records or reproduces a program or information executedby the CPU 501. The hard disk is used as a storage unit that storesimage information, image attribution information, and the like, andstores various kinds of computer programs, such as a data processingprogram.

A drive 512 reads data or a program recorded in a removable recordingmedium 521 mounted thereon, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optic disk, or a semiconductor memory, and transmits the readdata or program to the RAM 503 connected thereto through an interface507, the external bus 506, the bridge 505, and the host bus 504.

A connection port 514 is a port for connection with an externallyconnected device 522 and has connecting parts, such as USB and IEEE1394.The connection port 514 is connected to the CPU 501 or the like throughthe interface 507, the external bus 506, the bridge 505, and the hostbus 504. A communication unit 515 is connected to a network and executescommunication with a client or a network-connected server.

In addition, the example of the hardware configuration of theinformation processing apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is an example of anapparatus configured by applying a PC, but the system according to theembodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configurationshown in FIG. 14. For example, other apparatuses capable of executingthe processing described in the above embodiment may be applied.

Hereinbefore, the specific embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in detail. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications or substitutions of the above embodiment maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. That is, since the present invention has been disclosed inthe form of only illustration, the present invention should not beinterpreted restrictively. Thus, the scope of the present inventionshould be determined on the basis of the appended claims.

Further, the series of processing described in the specification may beexecuted by hardware, software, or a composite configuration of bothhardware and software. In the case of executing the processing by theuse of software, a program that records processing sequences may beinstalled in a memory within a computer built in dedicated hardware soas to be executed, or the program may be installed in a general-purposecomputer capable of executing various kinds of processing so as to beexecuted.

For example, a program may be recorded beforehand in a hard disk or aROM (read only memory) serving as a recording medium. Alternatively, aprogram may be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) in aremovable recording medium including a flexible disc, a CD-ROM (compactdisc read only memory), a MO (magneto optical) disc, a DVD (digitalversatile disc), a magnetic disc, and a semiconductor memory. Suchremovable recording medium may be supplied as so-called packagesoftware.

Alternatively, in addition to installing a program from the removablerecording medium in a computer, the program may be wirelesslytransmitted from a download site to the computer or wire-transmittedfrom the download site to the computer through a network, such as a LAN(local area network) or Internet. Then, the computer may receive theprogram that is wirelessly transmitted or wire-transmitted as describedabove and then install the program in a recording medium, such as a harddisk provided therein.

Furthermore, the variety of processing described in the specificationmay be executed not only in a time-sequential manner but in parallel orseparately according to a processing ability of an apparatus thatexecutes the processing or according to the necessity. Furthermore, thesystem in the specification is a logic group of a plurality ofapparatuses. That is, the system in the specification is not limited toa system in which apparatuses having respective configurations exist inthe same casing.

As described above, according to the configuration according to theembodiment of the present invention, local data, such as a photograph,stored in a client (user terminal) can be displayed together with, forexample, map information provided by map information providing serverwithout transmitting the local data to an external server or the like. Aclient transmits image file path information, which is not actual dataof an image file but access information of the image file stored in astorage unit of the client, to a service providing server that executesHTML file creation processing and acquires an HTML file including theimage file path information. The client executes processing fordisplaying the image file together with the map on the basis of the HTMLfile including the image file path information. With the configurationdescribed above, the image data that is displayed together with mapinformation on the client side is not read from the service providingserver but is read from the client, that is, the storage unit of theclient on the basis of the file path information recorded in the HTMLfile. Therefore, since the client does not need to transmit image datato the service providing server, the processing load is reduced and thusdata display processing can be performed quickly.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alternations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An information processing system comprising: a client that executesinformation display processing; and a server that creates a displaystructure description file applied in the information displayprocessing, wherein the client acquires image data reference informationas access information for image data stored in a storage unit within theclient and transmits display structure description file creating dataincluding the image data reference information to the server, the servercreates the display structure description file for displaying mapinformation, which corresponds to the display structure description filecreating data received from the client, together with image datadesignated by the image data reference information and transmits thecreated display structure description file to the client, and the clientexecutes processing for displaying a map on a display unit on the basisof the display structure description file received from the server andacquiring image data from the storage unit within the client on thebasis of the image data reference information recorded in the displaystructure description file and then displaying the acquired image dataon the display unit.